Lawrencedale Agro Processing (LEAF) signs pact with AP Govt for development of horticulture

Lawrencedale Agro Processing, (LEAF) India’s premier fresh produce supply chain major, recently signed a landmark agreement with the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the development of horticulture crops.

This agreement for the development of horticulture sector is part of the Andhra Pradesh Government’s pivotal Farmers Producer’s Organization (FPO) Policy for the Integrated Horticulture Development (IHD) Programme through the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) route. The much anticipated move by the Andhra Pradesh Government was kicked off by Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in Ananthapuram.

At a glittering event held at Ananthapuram, which is one of the key horticulture hubs of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu urged all the stakeholders to work for the benefit of the farmers.

“The Government of Andhra Pradesh is committed for the development of the farmers and the launch of this PPP-IHD programme is a key step to fulfill that goal. We will provide full support to the farmers and also to the private players who will work for the benefit of the farmers. The formation of the Farmer Producer Organization where in the Government, Farmers and Private sector cohesively work for the benefit of the farmers is an important landmark in the history of Andhra Pradesh,” said Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The agreement was signed by Shri Chiranjiv Choudhary, Commissioner of Horticulture & Sericulture, Andhra Pradesh Government and by Mr Palat Vijayaraghavan, Founder & CEO, Lawrencedale Agro Processing in the presence of Shri Chandrababu Naidu.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Choudhary said : “We all know the importance of value-chain development in Andhra Pradesh. Along with private participation, we will facilitate productivity improvement, post harvest infrastructure, capacity building and development of horticulture. We are pleased that many private players with their vast experience in fresh produce supply chain and expertise in post-harvest management will be of good support to the farmers.”

“We are honoured to sign this agreement with Andhra Pradesh Government in the presence of Shri N Chandrababu Naidu,” said Palat Vijayaraghavan, Founder & CEO, Lawrencedale Agro Processing. “We are committed for appropriate interventions for productivity enhancement and value chain development for horticulture crops. With our experience in handling more than 7000 tonnes of fresh produce annually, we will work closely with Farmer Producer Organizations to increase the quality of the harvest, thereby enabling better realizations for the farmers,” Vijayaraghavan added.

The AP Horticulture Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh will facilitate provision of necessary assistance to Lawrencedale Agro Processing India in establishing required infrastructure for value chain development and provide necessary assistance under ongoing department programmes/schemes as per the guidelines of the State Government.

The AP Horticulture Department will also support Lawrencedale Agro’s participation in significant areas in Andhra Pradesh, wherever feasible. Such participation may include providing advisory services, setting up post harvest facilities, Infrastructure development, R &D, Implementation support and related aspects for development of horticulture.

Lawrencedale Agro Processing will support the development of infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh, considering Government’s focus on promoting value chain development of horticulture crops in the state and facilitating conducive investment environment.

About Lawrencedale Agro Processing India Pvt Ltd

Lawrencedale Agro Processing is India’s premier integrated fresh produce supply chain company that sources ethically, aggregates, processes and distributes fresh produce to retailers in a branded, packaged format with highest hygiene, quality and food safety standards. Lawrencedale Agro enables this fresh paradigm in post-harvest management by extensive engagement with small land-hold farmers by improving yield quality through better crop inputs and techniques. Lawrencedale Agro’s unique community farming initiative engages with more than 3,000 small-land hold farmers and assures them of them of best forward market linkages by avoiding multi-layers of intermediaries.